‘Ant-Man': Marvel hires director Peyton Reed to replace Edgar Wright

A shadow of uncertainty fell over the planned 2015 standalone film last month when Wright abruptly departed the project he’d steered toward the screen for years. In a statement, Marvel and Wright insisted the split was amicable and related to differences in the creative vision for the film.

“Anchorman” director Adam McKay had been talked about as a potential replacement for Wright, but it is Reed who will now direct, with McKay making contributions to the script.

Set for release July 17, 2015, “Ant-Man” will star Michael Douglas as original Avengers member Hank Pym, a scientist who in the comics invents a shrinking serum that allows him to sneak around in miniature form and surprise foes. The film also will star Paul Rudd as reformed thief Scott Lang, the second superhero to take the name Ant-Man.

Additionally, Patrick Wilson, who famously played Nite Owl in Zack Snyder’s 2009 adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ legendary graphic novel “Watchmen,” will have a featured role in the movie, as will actress Evangeline Lilly.

It’s unclear whether either incarnation of the diminutive hero will appear in writer-director Joss Whedon’s upcoming “Avengers” sequel, “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” which also is set for release in 2015.

In the comics, Pym is the creator of Ultron, an automaton that becomes a supervillain.

Reed has an extensive background in comedy, with credits that include “Bring It On,” “The Break-Up” and “Yes Man.” He’s also directed episodes of the television comedy “The New Girl,” among other credits.

What do you think of Marvel’s choice? Are you looking forward to seeing “Ant-Man” on the big screen? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Comments

If there's no Henry Pym in "Age of Ultron," I don't think I want to see it. The tragedy of the conflicted, heroic, over-reaching genius creating the Avengers' deadliest enemy is the engine at the heart of that story. Ultron's thirst for domination seemed always to be an implicit rebuke, even a deliberate insult, to his "father," as if to say "I can never be human, I can never be good, I can never be loved, but I can lash out in a way that exceeds anything you've ever done." It's the Frankenstein story applied to superhero comics, which is why Ultron was more than just another world-conquering villain. If, as rumored, Tony Stark will be Ultron's creator, another wonderful element of the Avenger's mythos is lost: Henry Pym always suffering in comparison to his more successful teammates, particularly rich, glamorous Tony Stark. And what about the "full circle" element of Ultron creating his true antithesis, the tortured but heroic artificial man, the Vision? I suspect we'll have yet another pale Hollywood reflection of a much better original comics storyline.